We have placed on our website the synopsis of the discussion the leaders of the Central Trade Unions had with the Group of Ministers on the 12 point charter of demands. The Central Trade Unions evaluated the Government’s response to the strike call and have come to the conclusion that in the absence of any tangible result, the strike action must take place. The only issue on which there had been a concrete proposal from the Government was on the question of raising the bonus ceiling. In fact such an assurance has been given by the earlier Government also. Due to the pressure exerted by the employing class, the said assurance could not be translated into reality. To have the assurance to be put into practice, the Bonus Act has to be amended and that is possible only in the next session of the parliament. In other words, if one is to believe the assurance held out by the Government on the question of raising the ceiling for bonus computation, it can only have prospective effect i.e. for the next year 2016. We firmly believe that the corporate would not allow the present government to give effect to this assurance. The acrimonious ceiling on bonus while allowing unlimited extraction of profit for the companies is to be fought out through bitter struggles.

There had been no word from the Government on the question of rolling back its proposals on the labour reforms. The proposed labour reforms will hurt the working class most. The regularization of contract workers, payment of minimum wage, ensuring statutory Pension benefit, the registration or recognition of trade unions within a stipulated time limit to enable the workers to have the right to collective bargaining, the non implementation of the agreements reached at the various tripartite Labour conferences were some of the significant issues on which the working class sought settlement. Introduction of 100% FDI in Railways, 49% in Defence, corporatisation & privatisation of government entities, end for contract/casual temporary employment also met with stoic silence or rejection. The Group of Ministers has successfully eluded the issues. The BMS unions have declared that they would withdraw from the strike action. Their decision being political based is understandable, but is difficult to appreciate. We can only hope against hope that they would realize the reality of the situation in the days to come and become part of the joint struggles very soon.

The 7th CPC has sought further time to submit its report. They are now likely to submit their report by 31st December, 2015. Given the way the commission had acted on this vital issue, we are not certain of it. It is on the specious plea that they would be submitting their report within the stipulated time, they had rejected our demand for interim relief. They ought to have submitted an interim report to the Government before seeking further time on the memorandum submitted by the Staff Side on merger of DA and Interim relief. Even if the report is submitted say by 31st December, 2015, which we feel is unlikely, the Government is bound to take another six months to take a view on the Commission’s recommendations. It is incumbent upon the National JCA to meet immediately and take appropriate decision in the light of the unexpected step taken by the Commission in seeking further time to submit its report. They must go ahead with the decision to go on strike from 23rd November, 2015 demanding the Commission to submit urgently an interim report on merger of DA and Interim relief.

There had been no positive steps taken by the government to revive the functioning of the JCM at National or Departmental levels. There appears to be no intention on their part to cause discussion on our charter of demands. In this background we must revitalize and rejuvenate the functioning of our Organizations at all levels. We have received excellent reports of the strike preparation from all over the country.

DO EVERYTHING NEEDED TO MAKE THE 2ND SEPTEMBER, STRIKE A STUPENDOUS SUCCESS.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

MARCH AHEAD UNITEDLY, MAKE THE COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 2ND
SEPTEMBER A MASSIVE SUCCESS

After two rounds of
discussion between the Group of Ministers and the central trade unions on the
12-point charter of demands of the trade unions held on 26th and 27th
August 2015, the GoM headed by Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley sent an
appeal through the press release dated 27-08-2015 (Press Information Bureau)
after 10 pm urging upon the trade unions to reconsider the call for countrywide
general strike on 2nd September 2015 claiming that the Govt has
given concrete assurance to consider most of the demands of the trade unions and that the trade unions
agreed to consider the Govt’s proposals. Similar appeal was also made in the
meeting of 27th August. Both
the claims of the Govt are totally incorrect.

To put the facts
straight, the joint platform of central trade unions have been pursuing with
successive governments at the centre with their basic demands since 2009 and
observed three rounds of countrywide general strike since 2010, the last being
for two days in February 2013. In the two rounds of meeting between the CTUOs
and the Group of Minister, nothing transpired in concrete terms except vague
statements by the ministers on steps to be taken or being taken on some of the
issues, that too not in the right direction.

The Govt’s press release
mentioned, inter alia, certain issues in support of their unfounded claim.

1.The Govt stated about “appropriate
legislation for making formula based minimum wages mandatory and applicable”
for all. But despite concrete pointers made by the trade unions that such
formula should be what has already been unanimously recommended by the 44th Indian
Labour Conference in 2012 and again reiterated by 46th Indian Labour
Conference in July 2015 in which the Govt of India is also a party, the Ministers did not give any concrete
commitment on the same. In fact said formulae recommended by 44th
ILC in 2012 and reiterated by 46th ILC in July 2015, makes minimum
wage around Rs 20000/- at 2014 price level and the Trade Unions demanded only
Rs 15,000/. The Ministers’ vague formulation does not ensure even half of that.
Is such a position worth consideration?

2.On contract workers, the Govt assured
that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. What is there to assure except
spreading deliberate confusion? Existing
laws of the land lawfully ensures payment of minimum wages to contract workers.
The Govt’s statement regarding “sector specific minimum wages for the contract
workers” also does not make any sense. The trade unions demanded “same wages
and other benefits as regular workers in the concerned industry/establishment
to be paid to contract workers.” The 43rd Indian Labour Conference
held in 2011 recommended the same and 46th ILC unanimously
reiterated the same in 2015, in which, again, the present Govt is a party. How
could they deny the unanimous recommendation of the highest tripartite forum in
the country like Indian Labour Conference?

3.The steps taken by the Govt on Labour
Law amendments, are meticulously designed to throw out more than 70% of the
workers on industries and other establishments from the purview and coverage of
almost all basic labour laws and also to eliminate almost all
components/provisions of rights and protections of the workers. This was
supplemented by more aggressive steps already taken by a good number of state
governments to already amend the labour laws in the similar lines. On this
issue, the Govt stated only that they will hold tripartite consultation before
taking such steps. The trade unions
demanded scrapping of such proposals by the central govt and also not to give
assents (through President) to the unilateral amendments made by the state
governments. Even in all the tripartite consultations held on some of the
proposals of the Govt, the trade unions’ unanimous suggestions has been ignored
by the Govt in favour of loud supportive applauds of the employers. Once these
retrograde changes in labour laws totally dismantling the rights and protection
measures for the workers and also throwing more that 70% of the workers out of
the purview of labour laws are enacted, thereby rendering the almost entire
working people a right-less entity in their workplace, what would ensure even
payment of minimum wage and other social security benefits for them, even if
those provisions are improved ? Can any
trade union, worth its name accept such a machination designed to impose
conditions of virtual slavery on the working people ?

4.Despite repeated insistence by all the
trade unions, the Govt refused to concede to the demand for recognizing the Scheme workers, viz., Anganwadi, Mid-day
meal, ASHA, Para-teachers and others as “worker” with attendant rights of
statutory minimum wages and other benefits in gross violation of the unanimous
recommendation of the 45th Indian Labour Conference in 2013,
reiterated again by the 46th ILC
in 2015. These workers and all the schemes have been put to further
crisis threatening their existance owing to drastic cut in budgetary
allocations for those schemes. In such a situation, does the assurance of the
Govt to “extend social security measures” and “working out ways” for the same
carry any meaning?

5.On bonus issue, the Govt has assured
to revise the eligibility and calculation ceiling to Rs 21000/- and Rs 7000/-
respectively from existing Rs 10000/- and Rs 3500/-. Trade Unions’ demand has
been that since there is no ceiling on profit, all ceilings in the Payment of
Bonus Act should be removed altogether. Trade unions also demanded substantial
upward revision of the formula for gratuity calculation and remove the ceiling
on gratuity payment. The Govt has negated the demands.

6.On price rise situation, claim of the
Govt that it has gone down does not match with ground reality in respect of
commodities for daily necessities of the common people. The demands of the
trade unions for putting a ban on speculation/forward trading in essential
commodities and services along with universalisation of public distribution
system throughout the country have been totally ignored.

7.Trade Unions demanded stoppage of
disinvestment in public sector undertakings playing crucial and supportive role
in advancement of the national economy. Govt totally ignored the same, rather
has been going on aggressively in disinvestment route in all the major PSUs much to the detriment of
the interest of the country’s economy.
On the demands for stoppage of further FDI in defence, railways and
financial sector, the stance of the Govt is continuing to be a total denial. Rather,
the Govt has been aggressively pursuing deregulation and privatization in
strategic sectors like electricity, Port & Docks, Airports etc in a big
way.

There are other issues
as well, statement of Govt continued to be totally vague and their claim is
unfounded. How can anybody, rather any trade union worth its name can consider
above stands taken by the Govt on vital demands of the workers as a positive
development and move out from the programme of united strike action ?

Therefore, there is
absolutely no reason for reconsidering the decisions of the Central Trade
Unions for countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2015. Rather,
the situation demands that there should be no vascillation in carrying forward
the call for general strike on 2nd September 2015 throughout the
country in all sectors of the economy with firm determination.

The Central Trade Unions
appeal to all working people irrespective of affiliations to make the call for
countrywide general strike against the anti-worker, anti-people policies of
Govt a massive success.

This is
regarding non implementation of orders of Directorate regarding revision of
wages of casual labor. Even though Directorate issued orders in the month of January vide memo cited
u/r the same is not being implemented at
lower level in some circles particularly, TAMILNADU, ANDHRA PRADESH,WEST BENGAL
& MAHARASTRA .CIRCLES. The situation is that in AP, KARNATAKA &
W.BENGAL circles in some divisions new wages were paid but arrears are not
drawn on the plea of non availability of budget.

Those
circles are raising some hypothetical objections which are not related to the
issue. Wages are to be paid to those who worked against post without any
objection along with arrears.

Even though it was clearly mentioned in the
order to implement 50% DA merger also as per the orders dt. 31-5-2004, the same
is totally ignored in almost all circles.

As such you are requested to issue instructions,
so that orders are implemented very soon uniformly throughout the Country very
soon at least by 15th September 2015 by which all casual labor the
low paid employees will be benefitted.

REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF ORDERS ON
STOPPAGE OF DEDUCTIONS FROM TRCA OF GDS EMPLOYEES- REG

No. PF-CL/2015 Dated: 27th August, 2015

Ref- DG
POST LR. NO. 18-3/2002-WELFARE& SPORTS DT. 19-9-2002

This
is regarding stoppage of recoveries of CO-OPERATIVE SOCITIES from GDS employees
issued vide letter cited u/r issued stating that TRCA cannot be treated as pay.

In this
connection we would like to bring to the notice of Madam, that Appendix 29 of
FHB VOL -1 says that “a member of a society providing that this employer shall
deduct from his SALARY or WAGES such amount
as may be specified in the agreement and to pay the amount so deducted
to the society”. This clearly envisages that the deduction can be made from
SALARY or WAGES OF A MEMBER of the Society. It does not specify the PAY/TRCA or
any other name. all payments of GDS are being paid from the head “ SALARY”
only. As such even though the name is deferent payment is done from the same
head from which regular employees are paid.

Further it is to bring to your kind notice,
that many changes taken place in the payments after 2002. GDS re allowed to
have PLI, RPLI POLICIES and deductions are done from their salary every month.
Number of advances are sanctioned to GDS and recovered from their TRCA every
month. In addition any court attachments are also recovered from them.

At present, as Department allowed as
payment bank, it is a must to relax this condition. Now GDS are being benefited
by getting loans immediately if required for education of their children.
Marriages of their children etc from CO-OPERATIVE SOCITIES without any problem.
This stoppage has removed this facility resulting in hard ship to GDS to get
loans otherwise.

In this changed scenario you are requested to
reconsider the issue and they may be permitted to obtain loans from CO-OPERATIVE
SOCITIES by allowing deductions from salary, so that they will b e brought out of tensions and work with more vigor.

This is regarding non implementation of
DOPT orders on re-fixation of pay of re employed ex service men in our department.
Even though nearly 5 years lapsed the above said orders were not implemented in
our Department whereas the same are being implemented in about all other
Central Govt. Departments including Railways, Income tax, all Nationalized Banks
& PSU’s

Further it was observed that in our
Department also in U.P., BIHAR & DELHI Circles these orders are
implemented. This clearly proves that the orders are very clear and needs no
clarification. But unfortunately most circles wants clarifications which are not
at all required.

As such you are requested to issue
instructions to implement the orders as early as possible so that the feelings
of ex-servicemen that they are let down by the department will be removed from
their minds.

The Union Cabinet
chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for
the extension of the term of the 7th Central Pay Commission by four months up
to 31.12.2015.

Background:The 7th Central Pay Commission was constituted by the Central
Government on 28.2.2014. According to the Resolution dated 28.2.2014, by which
the Commission was constituted, it is to make its recommendations within 18
months of the date of its constitution that is by 27th August, 2015.

In
view of its volume of work and intensive stake-holders' consultations, the 7th
Central Pay Commission had made a request to the Government for a four month
extension up to 31.12.2015.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION MAY
RECOMMEND

PERMANENT PAY PANEL

The four-member
Seventh Central Pay Commissionteam headed by its Chairman Justice A K
Mathur (second from right siting).

New Delhi: The Seventh Pay Commission is
likely to recommend the government to form a permanent pay panel to give
recommendations to the government from time to time on issues pertaining to pay
structure of central government employees.

The permanent
pay panel would recommend regular salary hikes in keeping with the rate of
inflation.

The formation
of the permanent pay panel would help raise the salaries and allowances of
central government officials and employees, an official of the pay panel said.

He added the
permanent pay panel would recommend salary and allowance hikes in keeping with
the rising inflation rate, which will be implemented by the government. “Then
it will not be necessary to form a new commission during the next several years
for central government employees.”

However, the
Seventh Pay Commission got one month extension to submit its recommendations.

Accordingly it
is expected to submit its report by the end of September. The time allotted for
the commission ends this month.

The government
appointed the Seventh Pay Commission on 28 February 2014 under chairman,
Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur, with a time frame of 18 months to make its
recommendations

“There are some
data points that are missing, which we hope to get by this month end. We are
trying to submit the report by 20 September,” the official of the pay panel
also said.

The
government’s salary bill will rise by 9.56% to Rs 1,00,619 crore with the
implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, according to
a statement tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on August 12.

The
recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, is likely to be implemented in
April, next year.

Monday, August 24, 2015

REVISION OF FIXED MONETARY COMPENSATION (FMC) TO DELIVERY STAFF AND REMUNERATION TO OTHER STAFFCLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

·D.G.
Posts No. 10-7/2001-PE-II dated 14th August, 2015.

I am directed to refer to Directorate letters
of even number dated 04.09.2002, 20.01.2003 and 24.11.2010 on the above
mentioned subject.

2. The Department has revived a number
of references from the staff Associations requesting for upward revision of
Fixed Monetary Compensation (FMC) admissible to Postman Staff. A Committee of
Senior Officers was constituted for
looking into the issue and the report of
the Committee has been examined
carefully in consultation with Integrated Finance
Wing and the Competent Authority
has ordered enhancement of the Fixed
Monetary Compensation (FMC) admissible to Postmen staff. The details are as under:

S.L. No.

Item

Existing Rate

Revised Rate

(a)

When one Postman
performs duty of an absentee Postman by combination of duties.

Rs.50 per day

Rs. 94 per day

(b)

When two Postmen
perform duty of an absentee Postman by sharing the beat.

Rs.24 per day

Rs.47 per day

3. The Competent Authority
has also ordered fixation / revision of Holiday/Sunday Monetary Compensation payable to Postmen Staff and other Departmental Staff brought on duty on 2nd
consecutive Holiday if three consecutive
holidays occur or duty performed on Sunday as shown under:

Cadre

Item

Existing Rate

Revised

Remarks

Postmen/Sorting
Postmen

When duty
performed on Holiday/Sunday

Rs.85

Rs.282/- per day
for full day duty.

Nil

MTS

When duty
performed on Holiday/Sunday

Rs.60

Rs.29/-per
hour, subject to maximum of 3 hours

If duty
performed above 3 hours, the employee is eligible to claim for 3 hours pay
only.